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Home » Early Years Science » Easy Shadow Frame

Easy Shadow Frame

Modified: Jun 25, 2020 · Published: Jul 7, 2018 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Summer is a great time to learn about shadows and as my children are a little obsessed with contact paper at the moment we thought a shadow frame might be a fun idea.

I’ve also got a collection of 10 easy shadow experiments you might like!

Shadow Frame

What you’ll need

Cardboard

Contact paper / sticky back plastic

Decorative paper

A sunny day

Instructions

Cut the cardboard into a frame shape and stick contact paper on to one side.

Use your decorations to create a shape in the middle.

child with a cardboard frame for making shadows

Take your frame outside and work out how to made a shadow.

shadow on the ground from a shadow frame

How do shadows form?

Did you know a shadow is formed when an object blocks light. To block light an object must be opaque or translucent.

A transparent object will not make a shadow, as light passes straight through it.

Transparent materials let light pass through them in straight lines, so that you can see clearly through them.

Translucent materials let some light through, but scatter the light in different directions. We can not see clearly through translucent materials.

Opaque materials do not let any light pass through them.

Shadow Facts

The Sun makes the longest shadows at the beginning and end of the day, when it is is lowest in the sky.

The Sun makes the shortest shadows at midday, when it is highest in the sky.

Shadow frame

Extension Tasks

Can you write down 3 examples of transparent objects, opaque objects and translucent objects?

Can you investigate how to make the shadow bigger and smaller?

Can you make a nature version using leaves and sticks or a weather picture?

Weather Frame

More shadow science experiments for kids

Make a Gruffalo’s child shadow puppet.

Make a sundial using just a straw and plasticine!

Rhythms of Play also has a great human sundial activity!

Shadow frame made from cardboard, for learning about shadows with kids #shadows #shadowscience

Last Updated on June 25, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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